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South Sydney anger at NSWRL All Stars call that rules Jacob Gagai out of Las Vegas blockbuster | Daily Telegraph
South Sydney have accused the NSW Rugby League of lacking “common sense, consistency or cultural awareness” after their bid to have centre Jacob Gagai cleared to play in Las Vegas was rejected by the state body.The Rabbitohs initially applied to the NRL to have Gagai – the younger brother of Newcastle and Queensland centre Dane Gagai – cleared for Vegas, hoping that his selection in the Maori All Stars would count against a one-match suspension he received at the end of last year playing for the Rabbitohs’ NSW Cup side.
However, the matter was referred to the NSWRL given the suspension was meted out by their judiciary. After withdrawing Gagai from the All Stars game because they understood he was suspended, Souths were stunned when NSWRL judiciary chairman Bob Abood decided the All Stars game did not count.
As a result, Gagai will serve his ban in the opening round of the NRL, depriving him of the chance to make his long-awaited first grade debut in the opening match of the historic Las Vegas double header.
“The decision lacks any common sense, consistency or cultural awareness,” Rabbitohs chief executive Blake Solly said.
“It is extremely frustrating for the club but it is devastating for Jacob. He is a player whop has spent 20 years working his backside off to get an opportunity like this, either in All Stars or an NRL debut – and he is denied it by a decision that can only be described as absurd.
“He is devastated as he should be. The decision makers in this case have had no regard for the player.
“Also we are a club that has whole heartedly supported the All Stars concept since its inception, we know the importance that the game has for anyone selected in it be Indigenous or Māori side, and for the NSWRL to take this sort of attitude to it is mind blowing.
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“The NSWRL relies on their goodwill of clubs to support its team in the State of Origin series and the importance it places upon that, but it doesn’t seem to care at all about the All Stars concept.”
This masthead understands that Souths spoke to NSWRL chair Paul Condon and chief executive David Trodden about the situation. Souths head of football Mark Ellison also sent a letter to Abood detailing the importance of the game to Gagai given the opportunity to play alongside his brother and the chance to represent his mother’s heritage.
It is understood Abood informed Souths he could see no basis for allowing the All Stars game to be counted in Gagai’s suspension, bizarrely because he was named in the Māori side after he received his ban.
The decision flies in the face of previous calls involving some of Gagai’s high-profile teammates. Souths centre Jack Wighton was allowed to count the All Stars game as part of a suspension he incurred at the end of last season.
Likewise, Latrell Mitchell had the All Stars counted as part of a suspension he received in the latter stages of the 2021 season.